Buddy can you spare a dime?

A montage of depression-era images and covers of this iconic song, written by my friend Daniel Gorney's dad, Jay Gorney. (By the way, I am allowed to do this, copyright-wise, because I was authorized by the composer's family.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dime
• depression
• gorney
• brother can you spare a dime?
• bread line
• recession
• tom waits
• judy collins.

[177hender]

Is Karen Gorney any relation to the composer? This is a great song. I like the Rudy Vallee version best. I think his was the big hit during the Depression. There's no begging or self pity but lots of pride & defiance in his voice.

[blaineleslie]

Karen Gorney is the composer's daughter. She is best known for her role in "Saturday Night Fever" where she played John Travolta's dance partner.

[miriamhamsa]

Brilliant.



[mardawg12]

bing crosby was by far the best. i found it more emotional than three quarters of those covers. but at the same time, its nice that the song isn't being forgotten.

[carlgt1]

good job on the compilation. I think many renditions are pretty bad. My favorites are Odetta and Abbey Lincoln's.

I don't like the Bing & Al Jolson as they seem forced & far removed from the reality (oddly they were the versions popular during the time of the Great Depression). And that Yip Harburg, man he was quite a lyricist!

[chimpstop]

Awesomely predictive.  If I had seen this last year would have said "Furt"...seeing this today I say "Dead on the Mark!"

[SollimHerrera1990]

I love the montage and I love almost all the versions. I have never been able to find Vallee's cover. Thanks again for the post.

[AdamPfenninberger]

bravos!

[OzSteamer]

And, thanks to the subprime loan Enronisation of the whole Western World Economy, we'll be back to this, shortly. Ahhh, deregulation! What FUN.

[sevensongs]

Wow, this is really well done. Thanks!